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YOUR RESEARCH996 variations?
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Recommend picking up a copy
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Read evidence and context
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Suggestion
The book is awesome though, I�d highly recommend picking up a copy.
Leading evidence: 'Recommend picking up a copy' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend picking up a copy' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Is there any clear explanation (or maybe a chart) that explains what changes/updates took place and when?
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Suggestion
Also to answer your question why some early cars have what appear to be the later model lights; you could replace the amber lowers with clear ones that gave the look of the later "Turbo" lights of the .2 cars.
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Suggestion
The 996 motor had some weaknesses but with education you can reduce risk at purchase, and with dollars you can retrofit or replace with solutions that defer or solve this problem.
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Suggestion
If you don�t understand something above, use Google.
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Suggestion
Also to answer your question why some early cars have what appear to be the later model lights; you could replace the amber lowers with clear ones that gave the look of the later "Turbo" lights of the .2 cars.
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Suggestion
The 996 motor had some weaknesses but with education you can reduce risk at purchase, and with dollars you can retrofit or replace with solutions that defer or solve this problem.
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I'm looking at buying a 996 and there's something I have not been able to pin down... I've searched but found no definitive answers.
Judging by the different headlights I see on 996's, I'm guessing there was a facelift sometime around 2002? But I have seen some 1999-2001's with the later headlights, even though it looks like most cars don't get the later headlights until 2002. Also, I found some info saying the 996 ended with the 2004 model year, but I also found some 996's advertised as 2005 cars.
Is there any clear explanation (or maybe a chart) that explains what changes/updates took place and when? Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction.
1998-2001 996.1 3.4L, no glove box, had old head lights
2002-2005 996.2 3.6L, glove box, had new head lights
2005 1/2ish-2007 997.1 3.6L
2001-2005 996 turbo new headlights
That's the cliff notes version
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_996
, its a good start.
First off we have two sub-generations: 996.1 vs 996.2 (by years of production)
Non-Mezger engine models
C2
C4
C4S
Cabriolet versions of the above
Mezger engine variants
996TT (Turbo)
GT3 (NA)
GT2 (Turbo)
Special editions as well but that are all just options packages on the above.
I�m sure I�ve screwed up some of it. Read read read. Don�t make people do your homework for you. If you don�t understand something above, use Google.
Great book:
Porsche 996 The Essential Companion: Supreme Porsche
by Adrian Streather - will tell you everything. Model variations by model, by year, special models, etc. or you can get the gist with wikipedia and google. The book is awesome though, I�d highly recommend picking up a copy.
Here is a summary list of the differences between the Mk1 and Mk2:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l#post15173972
It also references the Excellence Magazine article as the source, which is a review of the Mk2 when it first came out. And that is worth a read for more understanding of the differences. There is probably no well accepted standard for which is "better", gotta decide that yourself.
Also, take a look at the production numbers to see the variants:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...nd-dicing.html
Early 3.4 narrow bodied cars with 18" turbo twists are best. 1999 or early 2000 with dual row ims ideally. Look no further. Best value in the Porsche market at the moment.
Also to answer your question why some early cars have what appear to be the later model lights; you could replace the amber lowers with clear ones that gave the look of the later "Turbo" lights of the .2 cars.
Well, I read a lot and can obviously do more, but I really do appreciate the simple explanation of variances given and was too afraid to ask. Being new to the Porsche world and not a big car guy prior.....
This site can go from friendly to brutal in the blink of an eye.
Lots if good newbie info in this thread. Maybe there should be a �New to the 996? Here�s the lay of the land� sticky thread.
I don�t want to discourage Porsche passion. If the 996 is anyone�s first entry into the world of �interesting� cars vs the mundane, they should start reading!
�Cheap 996s� are only affordable for those who can do a lot of their own work or whose disposable income allows them to drop a few hundo (or thousand) as needed, or to let the car sit until finds are ready.
Second car and you have the funds? Go for it!
Only car and you need it for work and your bank account hits $42.20 just before every paycheck? Maybe not the right car for you.
Why? These cars are old, so higher mileage is common and things break. There are some eccentricities with the car as well and not all the past owners took great care of them. The 996 motor had some weaknesses but with education you can reduce risk at purchase, and with dollars you can retrofit or replace with solutions that defer or solve this problem.
I didn�t get to this until my 50s. I did have a lot of fun cars along the way.
If if this is one�s passion, go for it. With eyes wide open after lots of reading!
^^This. Make sure you do a PPI no matter what car you end up getting. These are lovely cars but if you get a bad one then it can easily turn into a nightmare
OP- Get the Buyers Guide - it's a good first step in buying a Porsche and read it all the way through.
https://www.excellence-mag.com/resources/buyers-guide
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
